Glass water pipe smoking apparatus with protective shell and grip

ABSTRACT

A glass liquid pipe smoking apparatus having a protective shell and grip to be carried by the grip applied to the vessel bodies of the apparatus. The protective shell and grip are permanently attached to the pipe smoking apparatus and are intended to absorb shock from collisions with other objects to avoid fracture of the glass apparatus, to provide grip for more secure handling of the apparatus, to adorn the apparatus with a visually pleasing design, and to provide a structure to contain the resulting glass shards in the event of the glass apparatus being shattered. Various embodiments may be configured utilizing a protective shell and grip.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/279,441, filed 2016 Jan. 15 by the present inventor.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

nonapplicable

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

nonapplicable

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to pipe smoking apparatus. More particularly, the present invention relates to glass water pipe smoking apparatus that are provided with a thin protective shell encompassing much of the exposed fragile glass with the purpose of absorbing shock from collisions with a variety of objects, adding grip for improved handling of the water pipe, adorning the pipe with a visually appealing design, and providing a structure to contain the resulting glass shards in the event of the glass water pipe smoking apparatus being shattered.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention. The following is a tabulation of some prior art that presently appears relevant:

U.S. PAT. NO. INVENTOR ISSUED 5,400,807 Newman Mar. 28, 1995 6,793,076 Luo, et al Sep. 21, 2004 2,604,981 Weinstock Jul. 29, 1952 8,210,570 Nagle Jul. 3, 2012

The prior art water pipe smoking apparatus are known to comprise of one or more glass vessels that are assembled in such a way that there is a flat base for keeping the pipe upright, an opening for inhalation, and another opening for connecting either a vaporizer or a bowl with combustible materials. The prior art water pipe smoking apparatus can be represented in a variety of forms, all serving the same purpose of filtering smoke or vapor through water, or other suitable liquid, for user inhalation.

The most common form of water pipe smoking apparatus is typically known to comprise of a circular, weighted base member onto which a thinner elongated cylindrical vessel body is fixedly, or detachably attached. Typically, the cylindrical vessel body includes a mid-length entry port for attachment of a stem member which comprises an interface portion leading into the vessel and a bowl portion for containing the smoking substance. In an alternate form of water pipe smoking apparatus, the cylindrical vessel body may include an attached shorter cylindrical vessel stem with the bottom of the stem being connected to the bottom of the body and the top of the stem being comprised of an interface portion to which a bowl or vaporizer containing the smoking substance may be attached and detached. During use, the elongated vessel body contains water, or other suitable liquid, which filters the smoking substance. The material used to make the vessel is typically a glass material, which is generally susceptible to slipping out of the user's grasp and breakage.

The foregoing pipe smoking structure during use has been found to be very susceptible to both slipping out of the user's grasp, especially due to its intended use with slippery liquids such as water. The foregoing pipe smoking structure is also very susceptible to inadvertent contact with surrounding furniture objects, doors, or other surrounding home fixtures, causing impact shock to the pipe and subjecting the pipe to possible fractures. The foregoing pipe smoking structure in its idle state has been found to be very susceptible to inadvertent fractures resulting from contact with projectiles, people, and animals. Furthermore, breakage of the foregoing pipe smoking structure often results in many dangerous shards being strewn about the environment, which presents harm to both humans and animals, as well as creating a mess that would require thorough cleaning.

Nearly all prior art pipe structures do not have structures to absorb shocks and prevent damage to the pipe. While a need to have some protection for a water pipe smoking device has been recognized, the protective solutions are not deemed adequate, see U.S. Pat. No. 5,400,807. This prior art solution does not provide any added grip and is very bulky when compared to the size of the water pipe smoking structure, which may lead to more inadvertent slipping, more inadvertent collisions, and less options to store the pipe. This prior art solution also intends on being easily removable to facilitate washing of the pipe. Having easily removable impact collars could lead to more inadvertent slipping and breakage if the user grips the impact collars rather than the pipe itself. Also, this prior art solution mainly protects the top and base of the water pipe smoking structure, offering little to no protection for the main cylindrical body and the attached cylindrical stem member. This prior art solution utilizes one or more closed-cell polyether impact collars designed to minimize damage from tipping onto a smooth surface. However, it leaves much of the water pipe structure exposed to damage from projectiles, moving people, and edges of furniture.

Further, water pipe smoking apparatus, as described above, have not been provided with protective shell and grip.

Thus, a need is seen to exist for a pipe smoking apparatus which has an attached protective shell that provides grip for the user, thus preventing inadvertent slipping and preventing fracture of the base, main vessel, and any attached vessels.

A need is further seen to exist for a pipe smoking apparatus having protective shell that encloses a substantial amount of the smoking apparatus to contain broken pieces if the smoking apparatus is shattered.

A need is further seen to exist for a pipe smoking apparatus having protective shell that is low profile and fitted to the pipe smoking apparatus as to not take up much additional space, yet still add aesthetic design to the pipe smoking apparatus.

A need is further seen to exist for a pipe smoking apparatus having protective shell that is not easily removable, as to reduce the probability that the pipe will slip out of the shell and become exposed to fractures.

A need is further seen to exist for a pipe smoking apparatus having protective shell that is resistant to cleaning solutions to facilitate cleaning of the smoking apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a liquid pipe smoking apparatus made of glass with low-profile, form-fitted, protective shell to provide grip to the user and to absorb shock from external collisions to the pipe smoking apparatus to prevent fractures.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a liquid pipe smoking apparatus made of glass with attached protective shell to provide a structure to contain the resulting glass shards in the event of the glass pipe being shattered.

Yet another is to provide a liquid pipe smoking apparatus made of glass with attached protective shell to provide design aesthetics to the pipe apparatus.

Yet another is to provide a liquid pipe smoking apparatus made of glass with attached protective shell that is not easily detachable to reduce the chance that the pipe will slip out of the shell and be exposed to fractures.

Yet another is to provide a liquid pipe smoking apparatus made of glass with attached protective shell that is resistant to cleaning solutions to facilitate cleaning of the smoking apparatus.

The foregoing objects are accomplished by providing a glass pipe smoking apparatus modified with the elements of the present invention. A protective shell, which may be assembled out of one or multiple individual components, is formed to surround a substantial amount of the exposed fragile glass such that any impact occurring on the protective shell results in the shock being absorbed by the protective shell, to thus avoid fracture of the glass components of the liquid pipe smoking apparatus. Various embodiments may be configured utilizing both soft and hard materials to encase and protect the glass pipe smoking apparatus. Various embodiments may also have gaps in the encasing material, so that the user may view into the glass pipe smoking apparatus to monitor the amount of liquid within the pipe during use and the cleanliness of the pipe.

Therefore, to the accomplishments of the foregoing objects, the invention consists of the foregoing features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims. The accompanying drawings and the following disclosure describe in detail the invention, illustrating two possible embodiments in which the invention may be practiced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

In the drawings, closely related figures have the same number but different alphabetic suffixes.

FIGS. 1A and 1B show two aspects of the first embodiment of this invention. These figures depict a glass water smoking pipe apparatus with a single protective shell covering the entirety of the pipe apparatus.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show two aspects of an alternative embodiment of this invention. These figures depict a glass water smoking pipe apparatus with a protective shell comprised of multiple individual components made of varying materials.

DRAWINGS—REFERENCE

10 Main glass vessel body 12 Stem glass vessel body 14 Base of pipe apparatus 16 Grip for main glass vessel body 18 Grip for stem glass vessel body 20 Protective shell 22 Bowl 24 Filtration liquid 26 Glass support structure 28 Main opening for inhalation 30 Stem opening for bowl or vaporizer 32 Hard protective cap for main base 34 Hard protective cap for stem base 36 Hard protective ring for main opening 38 Hard protective ring for stem 40 Vessel connecting main and stem vessels opening 42 Gap in protective shell

DETAILED DESCRIPTION—FIGS. 1A AND 1B—FIRST EMBODIMENT

One embodiment of the protective shell is illustrated in FIG. 1A (cross section view) and FIG. 1B (isometric view). FIG. 1A depicts a protective shell 20 surrounding a glass water pipe smoking apparatus with a bowl 22 and filtration liquid 24. In this embodiment, the protective shell 20 is molded around the main glass vessel body 10, the stem glass vessel body 12, and the base of pipe apparatus 14. In one embodiment, the protective shell 20 is made of silicone, created by suspending the glass water pipe smoking apparatus in a mold, and then injecting silicone in the space between the mold and the glass water pipe smoking apparatus. However, the protective shell 20 can consist of any other material that is shock absorbing, resistant to cleaning solutions, and provides grip, such as rubber, leather, polyethylene, nylon, vinyl, polypropylene, wood, various plasticized materials, etc. While injection molding may be used for silicone and some other listed materials, other materials will require a different manufacturing process. For example, using leather to form the protective shell 20 may require hand cutting and sewing. Those in the art will understand that any suitable material, now known or hereafter developed, may be used in forming the protective shell 20 described herein. Those in the art will also understand that various materials may require various forms of manufacturing, including but not limited to 3d printing, injection molding, carving, CNC milling, laser sintering, or by hand. If the protective shell 20 is not created through injection molding, an adhesive may be required to attach the protective shell 20 to the glass water pipe smoking apparatus. If an adhesive is used, it must be durable, long lasting, and resistant to cleaning solutions.

This embodiment of the protective shell has two openings. At the top of the main glass vessel body 10, there is an opening in the protective shell to allow access to the pipe's main opening for inhalation 28. At the top of the stem glass vessel body 12, there is an opening in the protective shell to allow access to the pipe's stem opening for bowl or vaporizer 30. In this embodiment, there are no other openings in the protective shell 20. However, other embodiments may have various openings in the protective shell 20 to allow the user to view the filtration liquid 24 and cleanliness. Various openings in the protective shell 20 may also be used to create attractive designs.

The protective shell is thin, with a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the main glass vessel body 10. Due to its thin profile and grip providing material, the protective shell gives users a convenient cylindrical grip for main glass vessel body 16. Holding the protected glass water pipe smoking apparatus by the cylindrical grip fur main glass vessel body 16 allows for secure handling of the glass water pipe smoking apparatus.

FIGS. 2A and 2B—Alternative Embodiment

An alternative embodiment of the protective shell is illustrated in FIG. 2A (cross section view) and FIG. 2B (isometric view). FIG. 2A depicts multiple components of a protective shell surrounding a glass water pipe smoking apparatus without a bowl or filtration liquid. The glass water pipe smoking apparatus depicted in FIGS. 2A and 2B is different from the water pipe smoking apparatus depicted in. FIGS. 1A and 1B. In this water pipe smoking apparatus, the main glass vessel body 10 is connected to the stem glass vessel body 12 with a glass support structure 26 and a vessel connecting the main and stem vessels 40. The protective shell in this embodiment is comprised of 6 individual components. At the base of the pipe apparatus 14, there is a hard protective cap for main base 32. At the base of the stem vessel, there is a hard protective cap for stem base 34. Wrapped around the main glass vessel body 10, there is a protective grip for main glass vessel body 16. Wrapped around the stem glass vessel body 12, there is a protective grip for stem glass vessel body 18. At the main opening for inhalation 28, there is a hard protective ring for main opening 36. At the stem opening for bowl or vaporizer 30, there is a hard protective ring for stem opening 38.

In this embodiment, the hard protective components 32, 34, 36, 38 are milled out of metal. However, the hard protective components 32, 34, 36, 38 can consist of any other material that is shock absorbing, resistant to cleaning solutions, and rigid, such as polyethylene, nylon, vinyl, polypropylene, wood, various plasticized materials, etc. In this embodiment, the protective grip for the main glass vessel body 16 and the protective grip for the stem glass vessel body 18 are crafted out of laser-cut leather. However, these grips can consist of any other material that is shock absorbing, resistant to cleaning solutions, and grip providing, such as rubber, silicone, metal, polyethylene, nylon, vinyl, polypropylene, wood, various plasticized materials, etc. Certain designs may be etched into these grips to increase the surface area of the grips, thus allowing for better handling. Those in the art will understand that any suitable material, now known or hereafter developed, may be used in forming these components described herein 16, 18, 32, 34, 36, 38. Those in the art will also understand that various materials may require various forms of manufacturing, including but not limited to 3d printing, injection molding, carving, CNC milling, laser sintering, or by hand. These 6 individual components of the protective shell 16, 18, 32, 34, 36, 38 are permanently attached to the glass water pipe smoking apparatus with a strong adhesive. This adhesive must be durable, long lasting, and resistant to cleaning solutions. Thus, the glass water pipe smoking apparatus will be permanently protected, yet also easily cleanable.

This embodiment of the protective shell has three openings. At the top of the main glass vessel body 10, there is a hard protective ring for main opening 36 to allow access to the pipe's main opening for inhalation 28. At the top of the stem glass vessel body 12, there is a hard protective ring for stem opening 38 to allow access to the pipe's stem opening for bowl or vaporizer 30. There is a third opening in the form of a gap in the protective shell 42. This opening is useful in simplifying the manufacturing process as the manufacturer does not have to apply protection to the glass support structure 26 and the vessel connecting main and stem vessels 40. This opening is further useful in allowing the user to view the cleanliness of the glass water pipe smoking apparatus. In other embodiments, various openings in the protective shell may also be used to create attractive designs.

In this embodiment, the protective grip for the main glass vessel body 16 is thin, with a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the main glass vessel body 10. The protective grip for the stem glass vessel body 18 is also thin, with a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the stem glass vessel body 12. Due to their thin profiles and grip providing material, the protective grip for the main glass vessel body 16 and the protective grip for the stem glass vessel body 18 give users two convenient locations to handle the glass water pipe smoking apparatus. Holding the protected glass water pipe smoking apparatus by any one of these grips 16, 18 allows for secure handling of the glass water pipe smoking apparatus. 

1. A pipe smoking apparatus, comprising: a. A main glass vessel body with a supporting base, and b. A stem glass vessel body, said stem glass vessel body being either received within or otherwise attached to the main glass vessel body, and c. A protective shell fixedly attached to said apparatus and covering a substantial amount of the exposed glass elements of said apparatus, said protective shell being formed from a shock absorbing, grip providing, durable material, whereby users may achieve more secure handling of said apparatus and the said apparatus may become more resistant to collisions with other objects, more visually appealing to users, and able to contain resulting glass shards in the event of the said apparatus being shattered.
 2. The pipe smoking apparatus of claim 1 wherein said protective shell is a single cohesive component.
 3. The pipe smoking apparatus of claim 1 wherein said protective shell is comprised of a plurality of individual components.
 4. A pipe smoking apparatus, comprising: a. One or more glass vessel bodies, said vessel bodies being assembled in such a way that there is a flat base for keeping the pipe upright, a container for water or other filtration liquid, an opening for inhalation, and an opening for connecting either a vaporizer or a bowl, and b. One or more grips, said grips being comprised of a shock-absorbing, slip-resistant, and liquid-resistant material, and c. Said grips being fixedly adhered around said glass vessel bodies, whereby said grips would encase fragile components of said apparatus and whereby users may achieve more secure handling of said apparatus.
 5. The pipe smoking apparatus of claim 4 wherein there are also one or more protective rings, said protective rings being permanently attached to the openings of the glass vessel bodies, whereby users may have unimpeded access to said openings.
 6. The pipe smoking apparatus of claim 4 wherein there are also one or more protective caps, said caps being permanently attached to the bottom or flat base of said glass vessel bodies.
 7. A pipe smoking apparatus, comprising: a. One or more glass vessel bodies, said vessel bodies being assembled in such a way that there is a flat base for keeping the pipe upright, a container for water or other filtration liquid, an opening for inhalation, and an opening for connecting either a vaporizer or a bowl, and b. A protective shell, said shell comprising of a shock-absorbing, slip-resistant, and liquid-resistant material, and c. Said protective shell encompassing said smoking apparatus, and d. Said protective shell containing two openings, said openings allowing access to the opening for inhalation and the opening for connecting either a vaporizer or bowl. 